JOE Marie Jovelo topped the 800m dash yesterday to help boost Arellano U’s back-to-back title bid in the seniors division of the 92nd NCAA track and field competition at the Philsports Complex in Pasig City.
Jovelo clocked a minute and 55.10 seconds to rule his event and give Arellano U, which pulled the rug from the tournament’s big guns to snatch the title a year back, its first gold medal in the three-day meet.
After two days, the Chiefs have amassed a total of 413 points, or 68 points ahead of second-running Mapua with 345.
St. Benilde was at No. 3 with 268.5 points while Jose Rizal, the reigning four-peat champion before it was unseated by Arellano U last year, and Perpetual Help were at Nos. 4 and 5 with 191.5 and 159 points, respectively.
In juniors’ action, Emilio Aguinaldo is likewise on course in securing its second straight crown after it accumulated 376 points on the strength of three golds—one each in discus throw, 400m and 800m—and a silver in 400m.
Veruel Verdadero clocked 50.30 to snare the 400m gold while Edwin Giron, Jr. timed in 1:56.83 to take the 800m mint.
Joviener Espillo finished second in the 400m behind Verdadero in 50.92.
San Beda was at No. 2 with 271 while San Sebastian and Lyceum of the Phl U were at Nos. 2 and 3 with 269.5 and 126.5.
Other gold medal winners in Day Two were Perpetual Help’s Francis Medina in the 400m, Jose Rizal’s Dave Albarico in javelin and LPU’s Ronnie Manlipay in triple jump.
Meanwhile, San Sebastian’s John Emmanuel Reyes, Janple Bismonte and Prince John delos Santos swept all the medals in pole vault with distances of 3.65m, 3.20m and 3.00m for gold, silver and bronze.